On Wednesday evening, Channel 13 reported that the Israeli internal security service, Shin Bet, arrested a senior Israeli official from a medical institution in connection with a very serious security case. The channel noted that a prominent figure in a recognized medical institution was apprehended on suspicion of harming state security. The medical institution confirmed that it was not surprised by the arrest, stating that the senior official "has been acting strangely since the beginning of the war."
On Tuesday, Israeli security agencies announced the arrest of three Israelis suspected of engaging in security activities under the direction of Iranian intelligence agents, with an indictment filed against one of them. According to the Hebrew site "Walla," as part of Shin Bet and the National Unit for International Investigations' activities, a network of Iranian intelligence operations was uncovered, which had been operating in recent months under the guise of foreign agencies aimed at recruiting Israeli citizens for various assignments in Israel.
The investigation revealed that one of the suspects, named Elimelech Stern (21 years old) from Beit Shemesh, was communicating via the Telegram app with a profile named "Anna Elena," while being instructed to carry out different tasks in Israel. According to the investigations, he was asked to post advertisements in Tel Aviv, deposit money at various points in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, deliver packages containing a severed animal's head or a doll next to a knife and a threatening message, set forests on fire, and more. However, Stern agreed to perform all tasks except for killing and arson.
To post advertisements, bury money, and transport packages, Stern recruited other Israeli citizens to carry out some tasks for money; he also received payment in cryptocurrency from "Anna Elena," according to "Walla."
In this context, Shin Bet and the police issued a statement confirming their "continued efforts to expose Iranian activity in crime and psychological warfare aimed at harming Israel's national capacity and war effort, instilling frustration, and widening social divides." A senior Israeli official stated, "In this complex period, when the digital space is used for intimidation, message transmission, or promoting terrorist activity under the guise of innocent actions, we recommend the public exercise caution regarding inquiries from unknown entities, avoiding the sharing of personal details and opening links from unknown sources."
